Bowden – The town's policy on providing funding grants to local groups won't change this year, but it may change in the new year, council says.
Mayor Robb Stuart says one factor in the town's decision on grant applications could well be the province's decision to begin implementing a so-called “carbon tax” on energy use and emissions in the new year.
Councillors fear that tax will prove very expensive for the town.
“This is going to be an iffy year with the carbon tax,” he said during council's Nov. 14 meeting.
Chief administrative officer James Mason anticipates council will have some applications for funding to consider when it next meets Nov. 28.
Among other things, the policy says the financial assistance program from which the grants come “is not intended to be the sole source of funding; the applicant must demonstrate a reasonable effort to raise funds from sources other than the Town of Bowden.”
One group that has submitted a letter to council asking for money is Bowden Silent Santas, which provides food hampers and toys for needy families at Christmastime.
Shannon Webb, the group's chairperson, wrote a letter asking for money. Mason anticipates she will fill out an application form, as called for in the policy.
He anticipates some applications will be available for council to scrutinize by that next council meeting.
During its Dec. 14 meeting, council held a lengthy discussion on its new grant policy, which was adopted several months ago. It was agreed that the policy will stay as it is for now, but Mason says it may well be “tweaked” in the new year.
Councillors agreed that next year, groups wishing to apply for funding will have to submit their applications by an October deadline.
In the meantime, it was suggested that notice of an opportunity to apply for funding grants be placed in the town's next newsletter.
"This is going to be an iffy year with the carbon tax." ROBB STUART MAYOR TOWN OF BOWDEN
